Ken Lyndon-Dykes’ Column
The Experiences and Thoughts of a Saddle Fitter.
This month: Beta calling
I have just returned from visiting the NEC to see the British Equestrian Trade Association trade fair - or BETA INTERNATIONAL as it has become known. Every year I am amazed at the size of the exhibition - it doesn't seem possible that so many manufacturers are involved in producing goods for what, even in world terms, is a relatively small number of horses. It also struck me how much more fashion has become involved and today's riders really are spoilt for choice. Younger riders, even the tiny tots, are especially well catered for and peer pressure no doubt plays a substantial part in what sells well - and what doesn't.
I was, of course, most interested in seeing the saddles. BETA attracts a large number of exhibitors from abroad, among which I found the Continental manufacturers and those from the States the most interesting. But it was the British Saddlery Pavilion that attracted the majority of my attention. Entirely composed of British manufacturers who are members of the Society of Master Saddlers, they put on a display of saddles that vindicated their boast that they are among the very best in the world. For the last four years the Society has run a Saddle-making Competition at BETA. This year a new twist was introduced and, instead of the judging being undertaken by a panel of seriously knowledgeable individuals, visitors were allowed to cast a vote for the saddle they liked best. As you may imagine, some visitors knew exactly what they were looking for and spent a long time considering design, materials and craftsmanship - and seeking tiny flaws that would help them to make up their minds. Others had absolutely no idea and chose simply because they liked the overall appearance of a saddle - or the colour - or the types of leather involved. A competition run in this way necessarily produces a subjective result but it is a brilliant way of attracting attention - and most importantly, all seven saddles involved in the competition exhibited excellent craftsmanship. The competition was actually won for the Ideal Saddle Company with a very attractive dressage saddle made by their long-time employee, Master Saddler Shaun Marsland. He was presented with a cheque for £2,000 and no doubt treated his fellow competitors to a drink or two.
For the second year running the Society also ran a Bridle-making Competition. All the competitors were ladies - and what utterly superb bridles they made. The judges were Frances Kelly, a Master Saddler and Master Harness-maker who spends part of her week working at the Royal Mews, and Mark Romain, principal of the Saddlery Training Centre. (Incidentally, Frances was the winner of last year's inaugural Bridle-making Competition.) Frances and Mark unanimously selected Isobel Russell's truly stunning bridle as the winner and she was duly presented with a cheque for £1,000, cheered on by her colleagues from Stroud Saddlery.
I have been proved wrong in my predictions about bridles. Some years ago I said that there was only very limited requirement for bespoke bridlework, that although the elite show producers would always value the benefits of a made-to-measure bridle, they would be lost on the vast majority of horse owners. How wrong I was! Craftsmen bridlemakers - almost all of whom are ladies - are busier than ever before. Horse owners have woken up to the fact that, for not a huge amount more than it costs to buy a top of the range off-the-peg bridle, they can have one made. The fit will be perfect. The horse's breeding and type will influence design. The bridle will fulfil the requirements of the major discipline - and very importantly, it will be designed to enhance the horse's good points - and disguise the not so good. As I said, I got it wrong. Horse owners have caught on to the big advantages of having a bridle especially made.
BETA International includes competitions for innovation - good for the equestrian industry because it encourages manufacturers to come up with new ideas - and rewards them when they do. This year Los Clothing won a first prize for a concept that could benefit a lot of British riders. Every item bought in their 'famous names' ranges will result in a donation to the discipline or equestrian sport involved. This could work very well as a new form of sponsorship that could reach out to less known riders. At the moment it's only a concept but it will soon be operational - so it's a case of 'watch this space'.
KEN LYNDON DYKES specialises in fitting competition horses and those with 'difficult' conformation. Obtain Ken on 01622 844444 (head office) or 07973 502873 (mobile).
FOOTNOTE. Ken's book 'Practical Saddle Fitting' is an excellent buy for anyone making a career in the equestrian industry as well as all horse owners. Published by J. A. Allen, it costs £19. 99 and is available at leading saddleries and bookshops. Anyone having difficulty in obtaining a copy should contact SADDLEWORLD: 01622 844440 (If you would like an autographed copy, contact Ken as indicated.)
